Save the press guides!

fort collins _ Print versions of college football media guides _ already extinct in parts of the Big 12 and Big Ten _ live to see at least one more fall in this state.

Colorado State and Air Force guides just rolled off the presses in time for next week’s Mountain West football kickoff. Colorado’s is scheduled next month.

Long considered a recruiting tool and perk for big donors, media guides have proved historically invaluable to, well, the media. In an effort to save printing cost and paper, schools including Michigan, Ohio State and Texas Tech have posted online versions only.

CSU’s back cover features four veteran offensive linemen with construction tool and hard hats. The guide is dedicated to the memory of radio announcer Rich Bircumshaw who died in April of a stroke.

Building progress: CSU associate athletic director Doug Max said Thursday the indoor practice facility remains on schedule to open by the end of this month and the combined academic/training facility a month later.

The scaffolding has been removed from the latter and mostly landscape work remains.

Freshmen arrive: Eight members of CSU’s incoming freshmen class showed up for summer workouts this week, joining five who arrived in mid-June. Quarterback Nico Ranieri was among the earliest arrivals. All-American punter Pete Kontodaikos checked in this week.